Man denies knifing in fight outside pub

A former bouncer who says he was stabbed by Swindon man Lee Turner told a jury how he saw him reach for his back pocket as they fought in the street.

But Anthony Walker said he never saw the 26-year-old produce a knife and denied the weapon found across the road from The Crown, in Devizes, was his.

Turner, of Spencer Close, The Prinnells, is on trial accused of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawful wounding, possessing a bladed article and common assault. He denies all the allegations.

Mr Walker said he was on his way to the pub, where he used to work on the door, in the early hours of Sunday October 6 when he saw the defendant threatening bouncers.

The court had earlier been told how the defendant had been thrown out after allegedly punching a woman in a blow which it’s thought was aimed at his girlfriend.

When Mr Walker arrived Turner had taken off his top and was shouting in the street, threatening staff and other customers.

He said he saw the defendant grab a woman by the throat in the foyer and then pull her out by the arm before pushing her to the ground.

Turner then moved towards him and the former doorman said he thought he was about to be hit, so punched him first.

The fracas then moved across the road out of sight of CCTV where he said he saw the defendant reach for his pocket.

Mr Walker, who had been out drinking, said he hadn't realised he was stabbed until later when he saw blood, from a wound to his side, trickling down his trousers.

A knife was later found by police hidden behind a gas cover and had both men’s blood on it as well as Mr Walker’s DNA.

In cross examination Alex Daymond, defending, put to Mr Walker that he had been looking for trouble and used the butt of the knife to hit his client after landing punches. The witness said he had never carried a knife and insisted he had thought he was about to be attacked so punched him.

Mr Daymond said Walker had ignored all his security training by lashing out rather than trying to restrain his client.

Dr Adam Brown, who treated Mr Walker at hospital, told the jury of six men and six women that the knife found could have caused the wound, but he could not be sure.

He said the laceration went down to the muscle meaning the depth of wound was ‘centimetres, rather than further’. Mr Daymond put to Walker that the injury could have been caused by falling on a piece of glass, which he said was possible, but it didn’t look like a classic glass injury.

As a result of the fight Mr Daymond said his client was knocked out and needed hospital treatment for a broken jaw.

Earlier the court had been told how Turner was thrown out of the pub in New Park Street after being aggressive towards his girlfriend.

Maria Lamb, prosecuting, said he appeared to be manhandling his girlfriend out of the pub when Kerry Merritt got involved, and was hit in the face by Turner.

“The Crown say what Miss Merritt was hit by was a blow very probably intended for Miss Baker. At this the door staff moved in and got involved,” Miss Lamb said.

Turner then took off his T shirt and was seen on CCTV acting aggressively towards door staff, before Mr Walker arrived and stepped in.

When he was questioned by police Turner accepted he was aggressive towards doormen but denied having or using a knife or assaulting anyone. The case continues.